Adjustable bed rails



Feb. 20, 1962 R. K. .HAUSTED 3,

ADJUSTABLE BED RAILS Filed Dec. 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RAY K. HAUSTED gwm S ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1962 R. K. HAUSTED ADJUSTABLE BED RAILS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1958 INVENTOR. RAY K. HAUSTED mm f i ATTORNEY Unite I Filed Dec. 24, 1953, Ser. No. 782,693 7 Claims. (Ci. -.331)

This invention relates to the art of bed construction and in particular has reference to improvements in adjustable bed rails that are used in connection with hospital beds for patient safety.

In the treament of a patient, it has oftentimes been found expedient to provide a fence or bed rail structure along the edges of the bed for the purpose of preventing the patient from falling out of bed,

The early prior art devices that are employed for this purpose features the use of rigid frame members that were clamped, when in use, to the side of the bed. While these devices obviously served the purpose for which the same were intended, the same were disadvantageous in that they made it difficult to treat the patient and also caused considerable difiiculty during the changing of the sheets or blankets on the bed.

Accordingly, th art next developed bed rail devices that were, in a sense, retractable sothat the same could either be placed in an up position or could be moved to a down position, wherein the same would render the top surface of the bed easily accessible.

While several types and forms of retractable devices have been provided in this regard, the same have been universally characterized by one or more of the following disadvantages.

First, in several instances of prior art teaching, the bed rail mechanism is not movable through a vertical plane that is parallel to the edge of the bed. In such cases, it is necessary that. the bed oftentimes be moved from its position against the wall in order to effectuate retraction'of the device.

Secondly, in installing the known prior art devices it has been necessary to drill or cut the frame of the bed to permit bolting of the bed rail assembly thereto. Since the bed rails are subject primarily tov occasional use interchangeably, there has been a natural reluctance to alter the bed structure, especially when it is remembered that the prior art bed rail assemblies cannot normally be interchangeably used between different beds in the same hospital.

Third and most important, all of the known prior art devices have been characterized by the fact that the same are unequipped to withstand force applied horizontally thereof. More specifically, it has been found that all prior art devices having retractable features have their use predicated on a pivotal movement of one type or another. While there is adequate support provided against accidental pivoting through the intended plane of movement, there has, in the past, been no adequate provision for withstanding force applied normal to the direction of intended movement.

As a result of this last-mentioned deficiency, the prior art devices have been unsatisfactory in that the same have been bent or deformed out of shape during usage;

It accordingly becomes the principal object of this invention to provide an improved type of bed rail assembly that is devoid of the above described disadvantages.

It is a more specific object of this invention to pro vide a bed rail assembly that is swingable through a verti- States tent cal plane between up and down positions and which 7 is provided with means for effectively withstanding horizontal force applied against the same when positioned in its up position.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide 2 an improved bed rail assembly that can be interchangeably attached'to substantially all hospital beds without drilling or otherwise deforming the hospital bed in question.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved type of bed rail assembly that is simple to operate and yet is low in cost.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings: 1

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the improved bed rail assembly attached to a hospital bed, with the down position of one bed rail being illustrated in chain dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of one of the adapter brackets employed in the improved bed rail assembly.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating in full lines the position of one bed rail assembly in its down condition.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section similar to FIGURE 6, but showing a different method of mounting.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGURE 1 thereof, opposed bed rail assemblies, generally designated by the numerals 10 and 11 are shown secured to the opposed side rails 12 and 13, respectively, of a bed member B, with the bed member B including the usual head and foot frames 14 and 15 that are equipped in known manner with casters 16, 16, with the opposed bed rail assemblies 10 and 11 being interconnected by transversely extending tie rod assemblies 17 and 1 8, as clearly shown in the drawings.

It is to be understood that the hospital bed illustrated includes the usual head frame- 19 and thigh frame 20, each pivoted to opposed standards 21 and 22. However, these members, as well as the actuating mechanism for the same, forms no part of this invention and, accordingly, the means for moving the head and frame mechanism are omitted for the sake of clarity.

In view of the fact that the bed rail mechanisms 10, and 11 are of identical construction, with the exception that the adaptor brackets thereof are Opposite hand, a detailed description will be undertaken only with rerd t t e l s m y t b ing under to d th the bed rail assembly 11 will be constructed in similar fashion.

From the standpoint of general description, the bed rail assembly 10 includes longitudinally spaced adaptor brackets 30 and 31, to which are pivoted link arms 32 and 33, with a fence 34 being, in'turn, pivoted to the free end of the link arms 32 and '33, as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 4 of the drawings. I

Referring next to FIGURE 2 for a detailed consideration of the bracket 30, it will be seen that the, same includes an elongate base portion'4ll having a flat planar surfaoe 41 (FIGURE 3) that is designed for coplanar engagement with the surface 1.2a ofthe side rail member 12, with this condition of coplanar abutment being best illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown herein, the side rail 12 is shown as being right angle in configuration'and, accordingly, for the purpose of clamping the bracket 30 thereagainst, the base portion of bracket 30 includes a pair of counter-sunk apertures 42, 42 through which cylindrical members 43, 43 may be received, with each member 43 being internally threaded as shown in FIGURE 6 for reception therein of the threaded end 44a of a hook member 44. In this fashion, upon rotation of the head 43a, the hook 44 can be drawn over one leg of the rail 12 and tightened thereagainst so as to firmly affix the bracket 30 withrespect to rail 12 without the necessity of drilling the same.

v .In addition to the aforementioned component parts, the base 40 also includes apertures 45 and 46, with aperture 45 being shown being preferably disposed adjacent the central portion of base 40 for pivotally mounting the arm 32, while aperture 46 is preferably disposed adjacent the lower opposed longitudinal edge of the member 40 for the purpose of receiving the .tie rod 47, with bolts 48, 48 serving to fix the member 47 against axial shifting relatively of bracket 30.

Referring next to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be seen that the upper longitudinal end of base 40 further defines a U-shaped pocket that is indicated generally by the numeral '50, with base 40 serving to define one side wall of the bracket 50, while the bottom wall 51 and opposed sidewall 52 thereof are defined by an integral projection from the base 40, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. A pin 53 is shown rotatably journaled in an extended portion of base 40, with the pin 53 being secured atone end thereof to an actuating lever 55 that is urged against a pin 56 by spring 57. In this fashion, the spring support against horizontal distortion is provided for by the positioning of lower rail member 70 between the frame member 81 and the base 80.

With regard to the construction of the tie rod assembly it is believed obvious that turn buckles 90, 90 are employed to draw the ends of rod members, such as rods 47 and 47a, axially of each other, whereby the brackets may be drawn towards each other due to the provision of the bolts 48, 48.

In assembly of the device for operation, it is preferable to first loosely position the brackets 30 and 31 on the side rail 12, for example, with such preliminary positioning first being effectuated by axially extending the hooks 44, 44 so that the samemay be passed over the rail 12.

At this time, the links 32 and 33 may be pivotally secured to the legs 66 and 67, whereupon the ends of the link arms 32 and 33 may be respectively positioned on brackets 30 and 32 by merely inserting pins 62 and 82 through the ends of the same, as has been explained. When this condition has been achieved, the head 43a of thecylinder may be turned, for example, with a screw driver to draw the hooks tightly over the bed rail 12 and upon insertion of the rods 47, 47 and 47a, 4711 into turn buckles 90,90, the opposed members 30, 30, for example,

57 will normally urge the contoured end 53a of pin 53 across the opening of pocket 50. However, upon rotation of pin 53, as by movement of handle 55 downwardly (FIGURE 2), the offset portion 53a will be pivoted out of the conditon shown in FIGURE 3, whereby access to the pocket 50 maybe had for the purpose of receiving or releasing the link arm 32.

It has been previously indicated that the link arm 32 is pivoted with respect to the bracket so as to be movable into and out of the pocket 50. Accordingly, the lower end'32a of link arm 32 is shown fitted over a bracket 60, with bracket 60 being apertured, as at 61, for reception around a bolt 62, with the reduced diameter portion 62a of the bolt being received in aperture 45 as clearly shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.

Turning next to the consideration of the frame member 34, it will be seen that the same includes a base 65, that is of generally U-shaped configuration so as to define opposed legs 66 and 67 that are respectively pivotally connected to arms 32 and 33 by pin members 68 and 69, with the usual type of pivotal connection being illustrated at this point. Rails 70, 70 are illustrated as extending transversely of the member 34 for connection with the opposed legs 66, 67, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Turning next to the consideration of the construction of the bracket 31, it will be first noted that the same includes a base 80 that is of generally the same outline configuration of the previously described base 46 of the bracket 30, with base 80 thereof serving to seat another set of hook arms 44, 44 in the same fashion as was previously described. The lower portion of the base 80 is provided with an appropriate aperture for receiving the rod member 47a of tie rod assembly 18. v i

The construction of the bracket 31' differs from the construction of bracket 30, however, with regard to the provisions of an elongate frame member 81 that longitudinally overlies the base 80 and projects therefrom as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. In this regard, the lower end of link arm 33 is pinned through the frame member 81 and the base 80 by use of a pin 82 as shown in FIGURE 1. v p

In this manner and when the arms 32 and 33 are locked in the vertical position shown in full lines in FIGURE 1, the surfaces 52 and 81 of brackets 30 and 31, respectively, provide support against horizontal force applied against either the frame 34, or arms 32 and 33. Similarly, when the device is retracted, as shown in FIGURE 4,

may be drawn together upon operation of the turn buckle.

With the device ready for use and assuming the same to be in the down" position of FIGURE 4, it is merely necessary that the operator exert a vertical lifting force on member 65, at which time the arms 32 and 33 will pivot in unison about the brackets 30 and31, respectively. As the link arm 32 approaches vertical, the same will strike the inclined edge of the contoured end 53a and, as further movement towards vertical continues, the pin 53 will be cammed around'its axis against the force of spring 57, whereupon the arm 32 can pass into the pocket 50. Upon passing into the pocket 50, it is believed ap parent that the device will be in the up position of FIGURE 1, with the spring 57 having returned the hook end 53a to a position over the mouth of pocket 50 so that the link arm 32 is, in effect, locked within the pocket 50.

During the just-described movement, the arm 33 will also have been moved into a position between the frame member 81 and the base 80, with the result that the members 52 and 81 will serve to withstand horizontal force applied thereagainst, with pivoting around pin 62 being resisted by the hook end 53a.

When it is desired to release the bed rail assembly, it is merely necessary that the lever, 55 be pushed so that the arm 53a is pivoted out of its position of restriction over the opening of pocket 50, at which time the arms 32 and 33 may pivot about the brackets 30 and 31, respectively, to cause lowering of the unit to the position of FIGURE 4.

In FIGURE 7 of the drawings, the component parts have been assembled so that both the tie rod 47 and the link arm 32 are secured and pivoted with respect to the common lower aperture 46. To facilitate this, the end of the tie rod 47 is threaded as is the pin '62, with coupling interconnecting these parts as shown in FIG- URE 5.

In this fashion, the overall height of the rail assembly above the bed frame will be decreasing. It follows that if it were desired to increase the amount of projection of the bed rail assembly over the mattress, that the arm 32 and tie rod 47 could both be positioned with respect to the upper aperture 45 in the same fashion.

'Likewise, the invention contemplates a lower type of mounting of the arm 32, for example, with respect to either bracket. This condition is shown to some extent in FIGURE 7 where a bolt 70 is shown passing through both the opening 61 of the bracket 60 and the opening 46 that appears in the lower end of the member 30. The bolt is shown as being of sufficient length to enter and threadingly engage the internal wall of a threaded boss 100 that projects from the rear side of the member 30 as shown in FIGURE 7, with the extreme end of the tie rod 47 also being received therein in close adjacency with the inserted end of the bolt 70 as shown in FIG- URE 7.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a new and improved type of bed rail assembly, having particular utility and use in connection with hospital beds. It has been shown how the device is simple in operation and yet is durable due to the provision of means that resist, at all times, horizontal displacement of the unit.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited.

Accordingly, where appropriate modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swingable bed rail assembly for use on the side rails of a bed structure, comprising; first and second adaptor brackets secured to said side rails; a pair of link arms pivoted to said brackets and being swingable through a vertical plane; and a rigid frame of generally quadrilateral configuration; said frame having adjacent corner portions that are pivoted to the free ends of said link arms whereby said opposed sides of said frame may be moved into and out of position in alignment with said link members upon relative pivotal movement therebetween; at least one said bracket having a U-shaped pocket within which said link arm pivoted thereto may be received when the same is in alignment with an opposed side of said frame.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of means that are tensionally urged across the opening of said U-shaped bracket to restrict removal of said link arm from said condition therein.

3. A swingable bed rail assembly for use on the side rails of a bed structure, comprising; first and second adaptor brackets secured to said side rails; a pair of link arms pivoted to said brackets and being swingable through a vertical plane; and a rigid frame of generally quadrilateral configuration; said frame having adjacent corner portions that are pivoted to the free ends of said link arms whereby said opposed sides of said frame may be moved into and out of position of longitudinal alignment with said link members upon relative pivotal movement therebetween; at least one said bracket having a U- shaped pocket within which a portion of said frame may be received when an opposed side thereof is out of longitudinal alignment with one said link arm.

4. A swingable bed rail assembly for use on the side rails of a bed structure, comprising; first and second adaptor brackets secured to said side rails; a pair of link arms pivoted to said brackets and being swingable through a vertical plane; and a rigid frame of generally quadrilateral configuration and having opposed sides; said frame having adjacent corner portions that are pivoted to the free ends of said link arms, whereby said opposed sides of said frame may be moved into and out of a position of longitudinal alignment with said link members upon relative pivotal movement therebetween; at least one said bracket including a support surface that overlies a portion of said frame during the period that said opposed side portion of said frame is out of longitudinal alignment with one said link arm; said support surface supporting said frame against lateral forces during the period that the same overlies said frame.

5. A swingable bed rail assembly for use on the side rails of a bed structure, comprising; first and second brackets secured to one said side rail in longitudinally spaced relationship; first and second link arms respectively pivoted to said brackets and being swingable through a vertical plane; a rigid frame of generally quadrilateral configuration; said frame having corner portions that are respectively pivoted to the free ends of said first and second link arms, whereby said frame may be moved between elevated and lowered positions upon pivoting of said arms relatively of said brackets; first support means carried by one said bracket and overlying one said link arm when said frame is in said elevated condition; second support means carried by one said bracket and overlying said frame when the same is in lowered position, whereby said first and second support means respectively support said bed rail assembly against lateral forces while the same is in its elevated and lowered positions.

6. An adaptor bracket for mounting bed rail assemblies on a bed that has opposed side rails, comprising; an elongate flat plate having opposed longitudinal ends and being apertured substantially intermediate said longitudinal ends; a link arm pivotally secured with respect to said aperture and being swingable through the plane of said flat plate; an elongate auxil ary support plate fixed with respect to said fiat P ate in longitudinally coextensive relationship therewith; said support plate being in spaced substantially parallel relationship to said base plate and longitudinally overlying said link arm when the same is in coextensive alignment with said flat plate, whereby opposed portions of said link arm will be disposed adjacent said base plate and said auxiliary support plate during the period that said link arm is longitudinally coextensive with said base plate and said support plate; and spring loaded locking means coacting between said link arm and one said plate member; said spring loaded locking means permitting pivotal movement of said link arm into coextensive alignment with said base and support plates; said spring loaded locking means retaining said link arm in said coextensive alignment and being releasable to permit pivotal movement of said link arm out of said position of coextensive alignment.

7. A bed structure of the character described, comprising; a head portion; a base portion; opposed side rails disposed in substantially parallel relationship and interconnecting said head and base portions; a pair of brackets respectively secured to said opposed side rails in transversely aligned relationship; at least one arm member having its end pivoted to a central portion of at least one said bracket and being pivotal through a vertical plane between elevated and lowered positions; at least one support means carried by at least one said bracket and overlying said link arm at a point above said point of pivotal connection thereof, with said bracket, when said link arm is in said elevated position, whereby said support means support said link arm against forces applied transversely of said side rails; first and second tie rods respectively rigidly connected to said brackets at a point beneath said point of pivotal connection thereof with said link arm, with said tie rods projecting towards each other; and connecting means connecting the projecting ends of said tie rods and being operable to draw the same towards each other, whereby a rigid connection between said brackets is eifectuated by said tie rods and said connecting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 354,880 Amon Dec. 28, 1886 1,198,009 Cooper Sept. 12, 1916 1,461,813 Wood July 17, 1923 1,818,598 Berry Aug. 11, 1931 2,467,800 ,Backlin et al Apr. 19, 1949 2,644,961 Hillenbrand et a1. July 14, 1953 2,817,855 Pratt Dec. 31, 1957 

